Notebook: Starks Looking To Make His Mark

Rookie running back James Starks last played in a game more than 18 months ago, and he knows questions about his durability will linger until he gets back on the field and stays there.

Starks, who was selected by the Packers in the sixth round of this year's draft out of the University at Buffalo, sat out his entire senior campaign following shoulder surgery last August. While that missed time surely caused his draft stock to plummet, Starks said he is pain-free and is trying to look at the positive side of the year away from game action.

"People look at it as if, 'Man, he didn't play a whole season,'" Starks said. "I have to look at it as a good thing. I didn't take any bangs and I got to work out and get stronger, building my strength and endurance as far as my shoulders and everything. I should be fine."

Starks entered his senior year as a preseason All-America and All-Mid-American Conference selection. He was originally limited by the shoulder injury i..